The Newcastle Jets face Adelaide United in their final home game of the season, a delayed round 8 clash. Nothing short of a win will do.

Round 10 saw the Newcastle Jets slump to their heaviest defeat of the season, a 4-0 loss to Melbourne Victory. It was Rachel Quigley doing all the damage for Melbourne scoring a hat-trick to seal a place in the finals.

I n the ABC match of the round Adelaide United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers. Goals from exciting youngsters Emily Condon and Alexandra Chidiac either side of two Keelin Winters penalties salvaged the home side a draw.

The Last time they met was in round five this season. The Jets put on one of their best performances of the season, winning 4-0 in the Reds backyard, in front of a national audience on the ABC.

Goals from the ever reliable captain Emily Van Egmond, and Tori Huster combined with a double to Rhali Dobson sealed the win.

Since then the Jets form has been up and down. A narrow loss to Sydney FC followed, but they bounced back with a convincing wins over Western Sydney and Brisbane Roar.

More recently the Jets played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Canberra United and were outplayed, somewhat surprising to many last weekend by defending champions Melbourne Victory.

Newcastle will look to their most consistent players, particularly their midfield combination of Van Egmond, Huster, Nielson and Salem. When they have been on song and controlling the play it had enabled Rhali Dobson and Tara Andrews to take advantage.

Newcastle will also need a big game from young goalkeeper Hannah Southwell whom has had a tough start to her career.

Southwell has conceded 8 goals in the three matches she has played at first class level, and a clean sheet in front of the home crowd will no doubt boost her confidence ahead of possible finals football.

The Jets have the edge over Adelaide United with the Reds only beating the Jets once in W-League history. Newcastle have a history of high scoring wins over the Reds which should fill them with some confidence.

Adelaide United haven’t quite managed to live up to their surprise packet ways of last season. A young side lead by the likes of experienced heads Kristy Moore and Melissa Barbieri and the reascent addition of Danielle Brogan, they are capable of much more and will be out to prove that and end Newcastle’s finals dreams.

Melissa Barbieri has been in good form between the sticks, leading from the back with some fantastic saves and as always, is not afraid to marshal her defence about the park.

Finals football has come two weeks early for the Jets. Whilst they have to rely on other results the Jets control part of their own destiny somewhat, needing two wins from the final two weeks.

As former Rugby League coach Warren Ryan used to say “The best way to prepare for finals football is playing finals football”

For the Jets, finals football is here.

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United

Saturday 29 November 2014

Jack McLaughlin Oval, Newcastle

Local kick-off: 3pm

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Hannah Southwell, 2. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 3. Hayley Crawford, 5. Katherine Reynolds, 6. Angela Salem, 7. Tori Huster, 8. Amber Neilson, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Emily van Egmond, 11. Rhali Dobson, 15. Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 18. Clare Wheeler, 20. Claire Coelho (GK), 24. Brooke Miller

Ins: Libby Copus-Brown (promoted)

Outs: Grace McIntyre (omitted)

Unavailable: Ashley Spina (knee – season)

Adelaide United squad: 1. Melissa Barbieri (gk), 2. Monique Iannella, 3. Danielle Brogan, 7. Katrine Pedersen, 8. Emily Condon, 9. Lisa-Marie Woods, 10. Alexandra Chidiac, 11. Isabel Hodgson, 12.Daila-Tais Borg, 14. Rachel Alonso, 15. Jenna McCormick, 16. Katie Holtham, 17. Tiarn Powell, 20. Sarah Willacy (gk), 23. Kristy Moore (C)

Ins: Tiarn Powell (promoted)

Outs: Dylan Holmes (omitted)